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MAY 07 2025

Guntur Chillies Versus Byadgi Chillies Explained for Buyer

India is the world's largest producer and exporter of chillies, and two of its most famous varieties—Guntur Chillies and Byadgi Chillies have gained a global reputation for their unique features. Be you a spice trader, food processor, or a food enthusiast, being aware of the difference between these two chillies is essential to purchasing the correct product for your need.

Overview of Guntur and Byadgi Chillies

Guntur Chillies are native to Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, a place known for its chillie production that is high on pungency. Guntur Chillies usually range between 30,000 to well over 100,000 in the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale and are among the hottest varieties on offer. They are bright to dark red in colour and pack a powerful, pungent taste that's perfect for preparations that need lots of heat. They are used commonly in hot curries, pickles, and sauces, especially in Andhra cuisine and export spice blends. Guntur chillies are much sought after in heat-based cuisines around the world, and several of its varieties have a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, guaranteeing authenticity.

Byadgi Chillies, however, are grown in Karnataka's Byadgi region and are recognized by their deep red, glossy look. In contrast to Guntur, Byadgi chillies are less spicy, with SHU values between 8,000 and 15,000. They provide a mild, earthy taste with a hint of sweetness, suitable for dishes where colour and fragrance are highlighted instead of spiciness. Byadgi chillies are used widely in South Indian cuisine such as sambar and chutneys and are highly valued by the food processing and cosmetics industry for their red natural pigment. These chillies also have a GI tag and are much sought after in both domestic and export markets where mild seasoning or colour enhancement is the focus.

Origin and Cultivation

Guntur Chillies: Guntur in Andhra Pradesh is the chilli capital of India. The area's hot dry climate and fertile land are suitable for growing high-heat chillies. Teja, Guntur Sannam (S4), and 334 are some popular sub-varieties with intense pungency and deep colour.

Byadgi Chillies: Produced in Karnataka's Haveri district, Byadgi Chillies are low-heat chillies renowned for their intense colour and fragrance. Dabbi and Kaddi are other varieties known for their wrinkled texture and long life. Sun drying of these chillies is common among farmers, and this makes them look even more intensively red.

Heat and Scoville Rating

Guntur Chillies: Pungency High

Guntur chillies are highly valued for their pungency. With Scoville Heat Units (SHU) of 30,000 to well over 100,000, they are among the hottest of Indian chillies. The Teja variety is particularly strong and used in the production of hot sauces and spice blends.

Byadgi Chillies: Low to Moderate Heat

Byadgi chillies are quite mild, ranging from 8,000 to 15,000 SHU, and are suitable for customers who want flavor without fire. Due to their low capsaicin content, they are ideal for the extraction of natural red pigment employed in food and cosmetics.

Colour and Appearance

  • Guntur chillies are usually bright red with a smooth, slightly shiny skin. A few varieties such as the 334 are robustly coloured and pungent.
  • Byadgi chillies are known for their dark, shiny red colour and wrinkled appearance, particularly the Kaddi variety. This is commonly used for colouring dishes without overpowering heat.

Industrial and Export Value

Guntur Chillies in International Market

  • Highly sought after in Asia, Middle East, Europe, and Africa
  • Applied in ready-to-eat food, spice mixtures, and sauces
  • Certain types such as Teja are popular for hot sauce preparation owing to their pungency
  • Well-established supply chain infrastructure around Guntur Chilli Yard, Asia's biggest chilli market

Byadgi Chillies in Industry

  • Used to prefer natural red extraction of colour as it has high ASTA value of colour (160–200)
  • Used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical processing
  • Well known in West and East Asian cuisine that prefers milder or more colour based flavours
  • Stable export to Gulf nations, Japan, and South Korea

How to Choose the Right Chilli for Your Business

Requirement Best Choice
High heat & pungency Guntur (especially Teja, S4)
Natural red colouring Byadgi (Dabbi, Kaddi)
Spice blends & masala powders Guntur
Mild-flavoured, colour-rich dishes Byadgi
Hot sauces & pickles Guntur
Cosmetic or food colouring use Byadgi

Packaging and Storage Tips

  • Both chillies should be sun-dried properly before packing to avoid mould and discoloration.
  • Store in food-grade, moisture-proof bags with adequate labelling (GI tag, batch number, SHU/ASTA).
  • Store in dry, cool conditions not exposed to sunlight.
  • Bulk exporters sometimes vacuum pack chillies or dry them for transport stability.

Byadgi vs. Guntur Chilies – A Buyer’s Comparison Guide

Feature Byadgi Chilies Guntur Chilies
Origin Haveri district, Karnataka, India Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Primary Varieties Dabbi (low heat, high color), Kaddi (moderate heat) Teja (S17), 334/S4, Sannam (S4), 273
Colour Bright deep red, high ASTA (150–200+) Bright red to dark red depending on variety
Pungency (SHU) Low to moderate (8,000–15,000 SHU) Moderate to very high (30,000–90,000+ SHU for Teja)
Aroma Mild, distinct earthy aroma Strong, sharp, spicy aroma
Main Uses Food colouring, spice blends, pickles, cosmetics Spicy dishes, sauces, pickles, powdered spices
ASTA Value (Colour) High (ideal for oleoresin extraction) Moderate to high (varies by type; Teja has lower ASTA)
Moisture Content ~10–12% (ideal for storage) ~10–12%, but varies by processing method
Heat Preference Buyers seeking vibrant colour, not heat Buyers seeking intense heat and spice
Export Forms Whole, crushed, powdered Whole, stemless, crushed, powdered
Certifications to Look For AGMARK, FSSAI, ISO AGMARK, FSSAI, ISO
Main Export Markets USA, Germany, Middle East, Malaysia China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Middle East, Europe
Shelf Life Long (due to low moisture and thick skin) Long, but high-pungency varieties degrade faster

FAQs About Mundu Chillies

  • Which of the chillies is hotter—Guntur or Byadgi?

    Guntur chillies are much hotter, with SHU values typically over 50,000, whereas Byadgi chillies are less spicy and more suited for colouring.

  • Can I substitute Byadgi and Guntur in recipes?

    Not really. Guntur provides heat and strong flavour, whereas Byadgi provides colour with little heat. Combining them balances heat and colour in spice mixes.

  • Do both the chillies carry a Geographical Indication (GI) tag?

    Yes. Both Byadgi chillies and Guntur Sannam are covered under India's GI registration, guaranteeing authenticity and traceability.

  • Which one is more suitable for food exports?

    It varies based on your target market. If you're selling to consumers who like spicy curries or spicy sauces, Guntur is the better option because of its pungency and high heat. If your target is colouring agents or mild seasoning, Byadgi is better because of its rich red colour and mild taste.

  • How do I test the quality of these chillies?

    Ask for certifications and lab reports that include moisture content (which must be below 12%), ASTA colour value, capsaicin content measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU), and GI-tag confirmation if relevant.

  • Is there any variation in shelf life?

    Both chillies possess a good shelf life (6–12 months), but Byadgi chillies—owing to their reduced oil content—tend to keep a bit longer without becoming rancid

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